Have you had this experience too?I was looking forward to the day of payment every month, but when it was time to pay my salary, I found that my salary had not arrived for a long time, or only a part of it had been paid. You ask the boss when you will be able to pay the full amount, but the boss says that the company is short of funds and asks you to wait. I was unwilling to do anything, but I had no choice but to continue working.
It is reported that more than 10 million people are affected by wage arrears, mainly migrant workers, employees of small and medium-sized enterprises, and self-employed people. Wage arrears not only affect the quality of life and spending power of these people, but also bring hidden dangers to social stability.
There are a variety of reasons for wage arrearsChief among them is the deterioration of the market environment and the difficulties of business operations. Due to the impact of the epidemic, inflation, competition and other factors, many enterprises are facing problems such as declining revenues, rising costs, reduced orders, and broken capital chains. In order to stay afloat, some businesses have had to cut costs and delay or deduct employees' wages. For example, a garment factory in Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, has not paid employees' wages on time since November 2022 in order to save expenses due to the sharp drop in orders due to the epidemic. It wasn't until March 2023 that employees received part of the unpaid wages.
In addition to the deterioration of the market environment and the difficulties of business operations, there are a number of other reasons that can also lead to wage arrears. For example, some enterprises have violated laws and regulations, deliberately defaulting or deducting employees' wages. In some industries, there are chaotic phenomena such as advance construction, subcontracting at various levels, and affiliated contracting, which makes it difficult for migrant workers and other grassroots workers to get the remuneration they deserve.
There are also some localities** or public institutions that have financial difficulties or insufficient budgets, resulting in arrears or reduction of wages for groups such as civil servants or teachers. In 2023, more than 20 provinces in China will experience wage arrears or reductions for groups such as civil servants or teachers.
Wage arrears affect the victim's quality of life and spending power. Salary is people's main income**, if you can't get your salary on time, it will affect people's daily expenses, and even lead to the inability to pay rent, utilities, medical bills and other necessities. There is a tragic story: Wang, a migrant worker at a construction site, was unable to pay his wife's medical expenses because his wages were in arrears for half a year, resulting in his wife's death due to illness.
Unpaid wages can not only make people feel aggrieved and angry, but also cause anxiety and despair. In order to recover their hard-earned money, some victims have to resort to rights protection, petitioning, strikes, violence, etc., and even extreme incidents of suicide or harm to others.
In the face of wage arrears, we cannot sit idly by, nor can we allow our emotions to spiral out of control. They should adopt reasonable and lawful methods to safeguard their legitimate rights and interests.
When signing an employment contract or undertaking a project, it is necessary to read the terms carefully, clarify the rights and obligations of both parties, and try to avoid ambiguity or loopholes. Ask for and keep relevant evidence in a timely manner, such as work certificates, attendance records, bank statements, etc. And pay attention to the business status of the enterprise or project in a timely manner, and timely consult or communicate when abnormalities or risks are found. In the event of wage arrears, it is necessary to negotiate and communicate with the employer or project team to understand the reasons and solutions, and try to reach a consensus or compromise. It is necessary to maintain rationality and restraint to avoid aggravating conflicts or causing losses.
If the negotiation is inconclusive or encounters malicious arrears or deductions, it is necessary to promptly complain or report to the relevant departments, such as the human resources and social security departments, labor arbitration commissions, courts, etc. It is necessary to prepare relevant evidence and materials, and defend rights in accordance with legal procedures. At the same time, attention should be paid to issues such as the statute of limitations and litigation costs.
If you find yourself in an industry or field in which you have widespread or long-term wage arrears, consider whether it is necessary to change careers or trades. According to your own interests, abilities and market demand, find a more suitable development direction. Constantly learn Xi and improve your competitiveness and adaptability.
Although the wage arrears phenomenon has caused us a lot of trouble and trouble, we should not be too pessimistic and hopeless. This is because there are some positive measures and signals from the policy, law, and social aspects, indicating that the phenomenon of wage arrears is expected to be improved and resolved.
In terms of policy, the national and local governments have issued a series of policies and measures aimed at strengthening the supervision and punishment of wage arrears and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of workers. In terms of laws, the national and local legislatures are constantly improving and amending relevant laws and regulations, aiming to improve the legal effect and binding force of wage arrears and protect the legitimate rights and interests of workers.
Social aspects,All sectors of society are actively paying attention to and participating in the action to solve the phenomenon of wage arrears, aiming to improve social awareness and responsibility for the problem of wage arrears and support the legitimate rights and interests of workers.
The phenomenon of wage arrears is a complex and common social problem, which not only affects the survival pressure of individuals, but also affects the harmony and stability of society. We can neither turn a blind eye nor do nothing about it. It is necessary to analyze and understand the causes, effects, responses and prospects of wage arrears from multiple perspectives, and at the same time actively participate in and support various measures and actions to solve wage arrears.